I can't go without mentioned the however unlikely on the level Wisconsin brass band scene, Mama Digdown's and Youngblood. I'm sure I've hyped up Youngblood on other threads, but they really are something these days, the new Def Jux album will be tight.
It wasn't until after I started listening to a lot of other brass band music that I realized how unique their sound is, clean and precise instead of greasy and raucous both are great in their way of course. Speaking of which, what about brass bands from neither New Orleans nor Wisconsin? I'm all for this kind of thing, but these groups are to Rebirth what Antibalas is to Fela. Ex-Rebirth member Kermit Ruffins has his own band which is pretty great, too.
I find Dirty Dozen boring on CD and in concert, sorry. My favorite Rebirth story was seeing the guys perform in the bywater one night when members of the Afghan Whigs were in the audience, then seeing the band again in the Zulu parade the next morning.
Turns out Rebirth had literally performed all night and went straight to the parade without rest. A float got stuck on a tree, and Rebirth were still energetic enough to challenge a high school band to a battle while the parade stood still. Guess who won. I still listen to 'New Orleans Album' quite regularly, but it's the only one I've got.
I don't suppose anyone's heard the new one Medicated Magic? Totally on Rebirth's level or more so, and it's probably the most spontaneous, live sounding studio album I've ever heard. Recommend me some New Orleans funeral jazz, please!
